Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick Page B

her nails. The polish had chipped to the point that she looked like she’d drawn red amoebas on the end of each finger.
    Okay, so a shower and a manicure. She felt overwhelmed just thinking about it.
    She glanced at the lopsided black trash bag, which contained her burned and bloodstained polyester uniform, the ridiculous lingerie she’d planned to bring to Paris, and the flimsy blue gown she’d swiped from the hospital. Obtaining new clothes would mean going back into town, finding a boutique, talking to people, trying things on. . . .
    So much easier to just lie here all day than deal with these impossible logistics. She yawned and snuggled into the pillows. Just a few more minutes of sleep, and then she’d face reality.
    â€œWakey wakey,” Marla practically sang. “Breakfast is served. Warm blueberry muffins are on the table.”
    Summer closed her eyes and ignored the innkeeper.
    A succession of knocks. “Summer. Let’s go.”
    Summer scowled and yelled in the general direction of the door. “I’m sleeping. Come back later.”
    Marla sighed audibly. “You leave me no choice. But just remember, honey. You made me do this.”
    Summer yanked the covers over her head. “Do what?”
    â€”
    â€œHaul your carcass out of bed.” Even on speakerphone, even from three thousand miles away, Emily Lassiter meant business. “Pronto.”
    Summer turned to Marla, who held up Summer’s cell phone like an avenging angel. “How did you . . . ?”
    â€œI dialed the ‘In case of emergency’ on your contact list.”
    Summer finally sat up. “This isn’t an emergency.”
    â€œIt is an emergency,” Emily countered. “You’re not eating; you’re not hydrating; you’re jailbreaking out of hospitals against medical advice.”
    â€œI’m sleeping!” Summer leaped up on the mattress, banged her head against the low ceiling, and clutched the back of her skull. “And let’s not forget who helped me jailbreak!”
    â€œShe’s up,” Marla reported to Emily. She smiled sweetly and handed the phone to Summer. “I’ll leave you two girls to chat. Oh, and your muffin is right outside on the hall table.”
    â€œYou just lost a paying customer!” Summer yelled as Marla closed the door. To Emily, she said, “And you! Traitor. You should be happy I’m resting. The doctors told me to rest, remember?”
    â€œThey didn’t tell you to go to bed and never get up again.”
    â€œWell, I’m
tired
.”
    Emily didn’t say anything.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing.” Emily went from bossy to worried. “But I’ve known you since we were what? Twelve?”
    â€œSomething like that.”
    â€œAnd I don’t think I’ve ever once heard you say you’re tired. You’re always dragging me to some party or after-party or after-after-party.”
    â€œWell, there you go. I’ve got fifteen years of sleep to catch up on.” Summer sat back down on the bed. “And I have nothing to wear besides my charred uniform, scandalous lingerie, and the hospital gown. So, you know. Facing the world’s kind of a hassle right now.”
    â€œThis problem has a solution.” She could hear Emily clicking away on a keyboard. “It’s called shopping online.”
    â€œAren’t you supposed to be busy making a movie?” Summer asked.
    â€œCamera crew’s setting up a shot.” More clicking from the keyboard. “I’ll overnight everything. You’ll have it by tomorrow afternoon. Shall I order your usual? Leather pants? Stilettos that could double as murder weapons? Sequined everything?”
    Summer yawned. “Maybe just a few shorts and tank tops.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œOh, and flip-flops. Nothing fancy.”
    â€œWould you put Summer on the phone,